100 years after the birth of the first Bentley
‘Super Sports’, the nameplate returns to Bentley for only the fourth
Supersports model in history. The new Bentley Supersports is the most
driver-focused Continental GT ever, with rear-wheel drive, a two-seat cabin
and a gross weight below two tonnes. A non-hybrid, pure internal combustion
powertrain has a new 666 PS (657 bhp), 800 Nm twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 at
its heart, with power fed through an eight-speed double clutch gearbox to the
rear wheels only. Carbon ceramic brakes, new 22” lightweight forged wheels
developed with Manthey Racing and an Akrapovič full-length titanium exhaust
system are standard, while Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres are available.
The exterior represents the most purposeful Continental GT ever, with a
series of form-following-function developments to maximise downforce and
Vehicle currently in pre-production state. Supersports will only be available in specified markets.CO2
emissions and fuel consumption information for EU27 pending and subject to individual vehicle approval.
A new front bumper integrates the biggest front splitter ever
fitted to a Bentley road car, and feeds cooling air to the engine and front
brakes. Carbon fibre dive planes, side sills, fender blades and a rear diffuser
and fixed rear wing combine to generate more than 300 kg more downforce
than a Continental GT Speed. The weight saving regime extends to the roof,
which is now a carbon fibre panel to also lower centre of gravity whilst
maintaining structural stiffness.
Inside, the two-seat cabin features new, highly bolstered sports seats,
positioned lower in the car, with the rear cabin environment replaced with a
carbon fibre and leather shell. Monotone, duo-tone and tri-tone interiors are
available, with extensive use of leather, Dinamica and carbon fibre for a
performance-focused space.
Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, comments:
“The new Supersports is more than just the most driver-focused Bentley yet.
It signifies a return to Bentley making more extreme cars – ones that combine
extraordinary breadth of ability with true driver engagement, while remaining
pieces of automotive artwork unique and bespoke to each customer. Bentley
has always thrived when revealing a more daring side, and the new Supersports
is a statement of our intent while celebrating 100 years of the name. This is
the first project developed from start-to-finish since I joined Bentley Motors,
and I’m proud of our team and the speed at which we’ve created a car so
different to the GT on which it’s based.”
Vehicle currently in pre-production state. Supersports will only be available in specified markets.CO2
emissions and fuel consumption information for EU27 pending and subject to individual vehicle approval.
The new Supersports is the product of an idea that was first proposed in
September 2024, when a small engineering team theorised how a rear-wheel
drive, sub-two-tonne Continental GT might behave dynamically. Approval was
given for them to build one test mule, which took to the track only six weeks
later, to prove their concept. The performance of this key demonstrator was
convincing, and the project to create the new Supersports was born – albeit
under close guard and with a small and focused engineering team.
It was immediately recognised that the project needed a codename to keep it
secret. For this, the team turned to inspiration from Bentley’s past, and the
story of Mildred Mary Petre. Born in 1895, she was a record breaker on land,
and sea and in the air as a racing driver, a powerboat racer and a pilot. In 1929,
she drove a Bentley 4½ Litre around the Montlhery circuit in France, solo, for
24 hours. In so doing, she averaged almost 90 mph and established a new
endurance record – a phenomenal achievement by today’s standards but even
more incredible in the 1920s. She pushed the boundaries of what was possible
with a fearless spirit, and so in her honour, the development team christened
their new project: Mildred.
The word Supersports is a modern amalgamation of one of the most evocative
names from Bentley history – “Super Sports” – first applied to a Bentley 100
years ago this year. The first Super Sports was launched in 1925 and based
on the 3 Litre, with an uprated engine and shorter (and therefore lighter)
chassis meaning it was the first Bentley capable of exceeding 100 mph. It also
Vehicle currently in pre-production state. Supersports will only be available in specified markets.CO2
emissions and fuel consumption information for EU27 pending and subject to individual vehicle approval.
established the second aspect that defines “Super Sports” – rarity, with only 18 examples built. Dormant for decades, the Supersports name – now one word – roared back to
life in 2009 with a 204-mph revival, defining the pinnacle model of the firstgeneration Continental GT. This was the first two-seat variant of the Continental family, was 100 kg lighter than the standard car, and the most driver-focused Bentley of the day.
It was eclipsed in 2017 by an even faster, more thrilling successor, based on
the second-generation Continental GT. Like the first generation Continental
Supersports it was powered by a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12, but now generating
710 PS – making it then the most powerful Bentley ever. 710 examples were
produced, to match the power output.
The previous generations of Supersports all defined the ultimate performance
version of their respective model families. The new Supersports takes this
approach in a different direction; rather than focusing on top speed, the target
is maximum driver engagement, through a combination of weight reduction –
the most extreme in Bentley’s history – and a new powertrain.
The powertrain of the new Supersports is non-hybrid and purely Internal
Combustion Engine (ICE). A new, strengthened 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is the
heart of the car – with a stronger crankcase, uprated cylinder heads and larger
turbos. The changes yield the highest power density of any Bentley engine –
666 PS / 657 bhp (166.5 PS per litre), with 800 Nm of torque. Coupled to the
engine is the ZF eight-speed double clutch transmission used across the
Vehicle currently in pre-production state. Supersports will only be available in specified markets.CO2
emissions and fuel consumption information for EU27 pending and subject to individual vehicle approval.
Bentley model range, but redeveloped for the Supersports with uprated
clutches and a new shifting strategy. Gear shifts are now sharper and more
responsive, while the downshift strategy during braking has been precisely
calibrated to deliver optimal stability and driver confidence.
The engine breathes though a full-length titanium exhaust which is tuned to
be significantly more characterful than any previous Bentley. Developed in
conjunction with Bentley partners Akrapovič and unique to Supersports, the
complete system amplifies and tunes the cross-plane V8 note to be extremely
compelling – deep, powerful and completely authentic, with no artificial incabin enhancement.
The sprint to 62 mph / 100 km/h will be dispatched in 3.7 seconds, and top
speed will be circa 192 mph / 310 km/h (official verified figures will follow in
due course). More important that the headline figures though, will be how the
Supersports behaves dynamically.
For that, Bentley’s chassis engineers have enjoyed the opportunity for a new
level of driver engagement, by making the new Supersports the first rearwheel drive Continental – except for the Continental GT3 race cars – in history.
Power is fed exclusively to the rear wheels through an eLSD, out to rear
wheels that have an increased track of 16 mm over a Continental GT. The
eLSD is assisted by torque vectoring by brake, with the systems working
together to make turn-in as sharp as possible and to give maximum traction.
Rear-wheel steering is retained for maximum agility and stability, while the
calibrations for the steering, suspension, traction management and ESC
systems are all-new.
Vehicle currently in pre-production state. Supersports will only be available in specified markets.CO2
emissions and fuel consumption information for EU27 pending and subject to individual vehicle approval.
ESC settings allow the driver to select how much independence or assistance
they would prefer – from fully-on, through a Dynamic Mode that allows a level
of slip and oversteer within reactive limits, to fully-off – where the driver has
complete control of the rear axle, and can provoke the Supersports into
significant but highly controllable oversteer.
There are three new configurations to the Drive Dynamics Controller:
– Touring mode matches the performance character of the Sport
mode in a Continental GT Speed, but pairs it with increased ride
height, softer damping and a more discrete exhaust character.
– Bentley mode increases the performance character beyond Touring
mode, with gearbox strategy, throttle pedal and chassis settings all
uplifted. Exhaust system valves open to enhance sound character,
and launch control becomes available.
– Sport mode goes even further, with ultimate optimisation for
driver engagement and tuned for maximum chassis and powertrain
response.
The chassis system uses aluminium double wishbones at the front with a
multi-link rear axle, air springs, and new twin chamber dampers – ECUcontrolled in bump and rebound independently. Bentley Dynamic Ride, the
proprietary 48V electric anti-roll control system, can apply up to 1300 Nm of
anti-roll reaction torque in 0.3 seconds. Braking is by the largest automotive
braking system in the world – 440 mm Carbon-Silicon-Carbide (CSiC) discs on
the front axle, clamped by 10-piston calipers, and 410 mm discs with fourpiston calipers at the rear – fitted as standard. Calipers are black as standard,
with a red-painted option available.
Vehicle currently in pre-production state. Supersports will only be available in specified markets.CO2
emissions and fuel consumption information for EU27 pending and subject to individual vehicle approval.
The Supersports comes with new, 22” forged and machined aluminium allow
wheels developed in conjunction with specialists Manthey Racing, available in
two finishes – Black Painted, and Black Painted and Machined (introducing a
silver metal accent). Uniquely for the Supersports, two tyre options are
available: a standard Pirelli P-Zero tyre, and a new Trofeo RS performance tyre
as an option. With Trofeo RS tyres fitted, the chassis changes and weight
savings mean that the Supersports can corner approximately 30% quicker
than a Continental GT Speed, with up to 1.3g peak lateral force.
The Lightest Bentley in 85 Years – With the Most Downforce
The new Supersports is nearly half a tonne lighter than the Continental GT,
and will weigh less than 2000 kg. The most significant weight saving comes
from the powertrain, with a reduction commensurate with the conversion to
ICE-only propulsion and rear-wheel drive. The roof – usually aluminium – has
been replaced with a carbon fibre panel, which saves weight and lowers the
overall centre of gravity.
The rear cabin environment has been deleted, saving a significant amount of
weight. Along with the seats and seatbelts, rear cabin sound insulation has
been reduced, and the audio system has been reconfigured for the front cabin
only. Additional weight savings come the deletion of certain driver assistance
systems, not required on a driver-focused GT.
The new exterior details of the car combine to make this the most aggressive
Bentley Grand Tourer ever. Crafting new elements in carbon fibre helped
reduce weight further to meet the target, with new pieces including:
Vehicle currently in pre-production state. Supersports will only be available in specified markets.CO2
emissions and fuel consumption information for EU27 pending and subject to individual vehicle approval.
These aerodynamic pieces are all the result of extensive testing, with form
following function, and no elements included just for aesthetic purposes.
Together, the additions generate more than 300 kg more downforce than a
Continental GT Speed, while maintaining lift balance along the car and helping
to achieve a dynamic weight distribution, which starts at 54:46 when the car
is stationary and gradually moves rearward with speed.
The final finishing carbon fibre touches are the wing mirrors and engine cover.
The interior of the new Supersports is as purposeful as the rest of the car,
inspired by the energy and precision of motorsport. Two-seat only, it
Vehicle currently in pre-production state. Supersports will only be available in specified markets.CO2
emissions and fuel consumption information for EU27 pending and subject to individual vehicle approval.
completes the focus on driver engagement that is the singular mission
statement of the car. Every details is engineering to elevate the driving
experience, redefining performance-focused luxury.
New lightweight sports seats are provided for the driver and one passenger,
with increased lateral bolstering, a lower position in the car and carbon
elements across the shoulder area. The seats feature 11-way electric
adjustment and retain seat heating. The rear cabin is replaced by a lightweight
and precision engineering carbon fibre tub that wraps around the space.
Finished with a leather wraparound design, the tub integrates into the rest of
the cabin and delivers a cleaner, more purposeful interior layout.
Lightweight and high gloss carbon fibre veneers to the waistrails and fascia
panels are standard, joined by a blend of leather and Dinamica, with the latter
technical material to the centres of the seat backs and seat cushions, the
centre panels of the doors and the headlining. Supersports embroidery and
badging completes the cabin, together with an individually numbered badge to
the centre console.
Numbered, Individual, Bespoke
Every Supersports will be individually numbered before it leaves the factory,
with customers able to request specific numbers from the 500 examples that
will be handcrafted in Crewe.
Paint options start with a core range of 24 performance-focused colours, with
additional paint finishes including Supersports logos and matte paint available
via Mulliner. Beyond single-tone exteriors, Bentley’s design team has
developed five ‘Design Themes’, which include either a small section of vertical
Vehicle currently in pre-production state. Supersports will only be available in specified markets.CO2
emissions and fuel consumption information for EU27 pending and subject to individual vehicle approval.
striping and a Supersports name in a contrasting colour on the lower body side
behind the front wheel, or a series of painted stripes in two contrasting colours
across the rear quarters of the car.
Exterior carbon fibre is available in high gloss finish, and the lower elements
can be fully painted or pinstriped.
For the cabin, 22 Main Hide colours are accompanied by 11 Secondary Hide
and nine Accent Hide colours. Single tone, duo-tone (as standard) and a new
and unique tri-tone colour split are all available, and Dark Chrome Specification
is standard.
In place of interior carbon fibre, customers can also choose from Diamond
Brushed or Engine Turned Aluminium in a Dark Tint finish, or the clean and
elegant simplicity of Piano Black.
The launch imagery for Supersports is in a Design Theme called “Nightfall”,
which blends Anthracite gloss exterior paint with a Camel accent to the lower
bodywork along with Camel lower striping and a contrast number 8 to the
grille. The interior is in Beluga and Camel, with Bronze accents.
Meanwhile, the car unveiled in New York at the global debut is in a specification
called ‘Daybreak’, in Jetstream Matte with a Design Theme livery in Arctica
and Portofino. The interior is Damson with Light Blue and Pillar Box Red
accents.
Ordering, Production and Deliveries
The launch of the new Supersports will be celebrated with the most dynamic
and exciting film in Bentley’s history, which will be revealed with a premiere in
Vehicle currently in pre-production state. Supersports will only be available in specified markets.CO2
emissions and fuel consumption information for EU27 pending and subject to individual vehicle approval.
